How Much Unemployment Will I Get in MD?
Understand Maryland unemployment benefits. Learn how weekly amounts are calculated, eligibility, and ongoing requirements.
Unemployment insurance benefits offer temporary financial support to individuals who have lost their jobs, providing a safety net to focus on finding new employment. This article explains how unemployment benefits are calculated in Maryland and the factors that influence the amount received.
Eligibility for Benefits
To qualify for unemployment benefits in Maryland, individuals must meet specific criteria related to their past employment and current availability for work. A primary requirement is that an individual must be unemployed through no fault of their own. Voluntarily quitting without a compelling, work-related reason or termination due to misconduct may lead to disqualification.
Another key component of eligibility is monetary qualification, which assesses an individual’s earnings during the “base period.” In Maryland, the standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding a claim. For instance, if a claim is filed in July 2024, the standard base period would be from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.
To be monetarily eligible, an individual must have earned at least $1,176 in covered employment during their base period, with wages in at least two quarters. Their total base period wages must also be at least 1.5 times their highest quarter earnings. If an individual does not qualify under the standard base period, an alternate base period may be used.
Beyond these financial and separation criteria, claimants must also be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking employment to be eligible for benefits.
Determining Your Weekly Benefit Amount
The weekly benefit amount (WBA) in Maryland is calculated based on an individual’s earnings during their base period. This amount is the sum a claimant is eligible to receive each week if they meet all ongoing requirements. Maryland’s formula for determining the WBA involves taking one twenty-fourth (1/24) of the wages earned in the highest-earning quarter of the base period.
For example, if an individual’s highest quarterly earnings during their base period were $9,600, their weekly benefit amount would be $400 ($9,600 / 24). The state sets both a minimum and a maximum weekly benefit amount. The minimum weekly benefit amount an eligible individual can receive in Maryland is $50, while the maximum is $430. Even if a calculation using the 1/24 rule yields a higher amount, the weekly benefit cannot exceed the state-mandated maximum.
Modifying Factors for Benefit Payments
Several factors can influence the actual benefit payments an individual receives, altering the initially calculated weekly benefit amount or the total duration of benefits. Working part-time while receiving unemployment benefits can affect the weekly payment. Maryland allows claimants to earn a certain amount without impacting their benefits; the first $50 earned in a week is disregarded. Any earnings above this $50 will reduce the weekly benefit amount dollar-for-dollar.
Certain types of income or payments can also lead to a reduction in weekly benefits, such as pension payments, severance pay, or holiday pay. The total number of weeks an individual can typically receive benefits in Maryland is 26 weeks. During periods of high unemployment, extended benefits may become available, prolonging assistance.
Disqualifications can also significantly impact benefit payments, potentially resulting in zero benefits. Common reasons for disqualification include refusing suitable work, failing to actively search for work, or committing fraud. Misconduct can lead to benefit denial, with specific durations depending on the severity of the action.
Ongoing Requirements for Receiving Benefits
Once an unemployment claim is approved and a weekly benefit amount is established, individuals must fulfill ongoing obligations to continue receiving payments. A primary requirement involves filing a weekly claim certification. This process, typically completed online through Maryland’s BEACON portal, via a mobile app, or by phone, confirms continued eligibility for the previous week. The benefit week in Maryland runs from Sunday to Saturday, and the weekly certification requests payment for the completed prior week.
Claimants are also required to engage in active job search efforts. This includes registering with the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE) and maintaining an up-to-date resume within the system. Each week, individuals must complete at least three valid reemployment activities, with at least one being a direct job contact. Records of these job search activities must be kept and reported.
Claimants must accurately report any earnings from partial employment, job offers received, and changes in their availability for work when filing their weekly certification. Failure to report this information accurately or to meet job search requirements can result in delays or denials of benefits. If a benefit determination is unfavorable, individuals have the right to appeal the decision by submitting an appeal to the Lower Appeals Division.